Brand Names:

Medication prescribed:

Ziprasidone is used to treat schizophrenia. Ziprasidone is in a class of medications called antipsychotics. It works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.

How should this medicine be used:

Ziprasidone comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken twice a day with food. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take ziprasidone exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor may start you on a low dose of ziprasidone and gradually increase your dose.
Ziprasidone controls schizophrenia but does not cure it. Continue to take ziprasidone even if you feel well. Do not stop taking ziprasidone without talking to your doctor.

Other uses for this medicine:

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Special precautions:

Before taking ziprasidone,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ziprasidone or any other medications.
do not take ziprasidone if you are taking amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), bretylium, chlorpromazine (Thorazine), cisapride (Propulsid), disopyramide (Norpace), dofetilide (Tikosyn), dolasetron (Anzemet), droperidol (Inapsine), erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Erythrocin), gatifloxacin (Tequin), halofantrine (Halfan), ibutilide (Corvert), levomethadyl (ORLAAM), mefloquine (Lariam), mesoridazine (Serentil), moxifloxacin (Avelox), pentamidine (NebuPent, Pentam 300), pimozide (Orap), procainamide (Procanbid, Promine, Pronestyl), quinidine (Quinidex), sotalol (Betapace), sparfloxacin (Zagam), tacrolimus (Prograf), or thioridazine (Mellaril).
tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: antidepressants, diuretics (''water pills''), bromocriptine (Parlodel), cabergoline (Dostinex), carbamazepine (Tegretol), ketoconazole (Nizoral), levodopa (Dopar, Larodopa), medications for anxiety, medications for high blood pressure, medications for seizures, pergolide (Permax), ropinirole (ReQuip), sleeping pills, and tranquilizers. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
tell your doctor if you have recently had a heart attack and if you have or have ever had liver disease, heart failure, irregular heartbeats, stroke or mini-stroke, seizures, Alzheimer's disease, or if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had diabetes.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking ziprasidone, call your doctor.
you should know that ziprasidone may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this medication.
you should know that you may have increases in your blood sugar (hyperglycemia) while you are taking this medication, even if you do not already have diabetes. If you have schizophrenia (a mental illness that causes disturbed or unusual thinking, loss of interest in life, and strong or inappropriate emotions), you are more likely to develop diabetes than people who do not have schizophrenia, and taking ziprasidone or similar medications may increase this risk. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms while you are taking ziprasidone: extreme thirst, frequent urination, extreme hunger, blurred vision, or weakness.It is very important to call your doctor as soon as you have any of these symptoms, because high blood sugar can cause more serious symptoms, such as dry mouth, upset stomach and vomiting, shortness of breath, breath that smells fruity, or decreased consciousness,and may become life-threatening if it is not treated at an early stage.
you should know that ziprasidone may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting when you get up too quickly from a lying position. This is more common when you first start taking ziprasidone. To avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.
you should know that ziprasidone may make it harder for your body to cool down when it gets very hot. Tell your doctor if you plan to do vigorous exercise or be exposed to extreme heat.

Special dietary instructions:

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

If I forget a dose:

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects:

Ziprasidone may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
drowsiness
constipation
diarrhea
loss of appetite
muscle pain
restlessness
runny nose
sneezing
cough
weight gain
Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them or those listed in the SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS section, call your doctor immediately:
dizziness
rapid, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
fainting
rash or hives
fever
muscle rigidity
confusion
sweating
puckering of the lips and tongue
writhing of the arms or legs
painful erection of the penis that lasts for hours
breast enlargement
irregular menstrual periods
breast milk production
Ziprasidone may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

What storage conditions:

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of overdose:

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

Other information:

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your body's response to ziprasidone.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.